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Horsing around Lake Tahoe |
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Written by Jack Carrerow/special to the World
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Wednesday, 31 May 2006 |
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 To see the lake from horseback is to experience what the early explorers like Kit Carson or John Fremont experienced while astride a noble steed.
While their are several stables in the basin offering guided rides to tourists and locals alike, Zephyr Cove Stables is one of the oldest, having been in been in business on the North Shore for the past 22 years.
Louise McGill, CO-owner of the stable, along with her son Cody keep 55 head of horses for the rent string, each of which put in a four-hour day of work and an additional 30 down at their ranch in the Fish Springs area of Gardnerville/Minden.
“The horses are kept down the hill for the winter an fall months and we just brought them up for the spring and summer season,” McGill said. “It’s usually enough for our operation up here, except on certain occasions.”
McGill’s husband Dwight who refers to himself as a hired hand, starts work a little before 8 a.m., by first feeding the horses their morning grain and then saddling them up for the day’s riders.
On this particular day, the stable was about to have 90 honor students from Kingsbury Middle School and wrangler McGill had most of the stock saddled in preparation for their arrival.
“I’ve been doing this since I was a kid,” McGill said. “I worked at the stable over in Camp Richardson in about 1960.”
Since those days, the business of renting horses out for pleasure rides has changed a bit, according to Louise.
“The cost of feeding the horses has gone up steadily over the years,” she said. “And insurance rates are always on the rise. All of this and the fact we have to pay several employees to run the business, you can see how it adds up.”
Another factor that contributes to the cost is that for most of the year, the McGill horses are not bringing in any income.
“During the off-season, the horses just eat,” McGill said.
Zephyr Cove Stables offers one and two hour rides, breakfast, lunch and dinner rides for just about any size group.
The almost four miles of trails winds through United States Forest Service land and as far as McGill knows, is the only stable offering great views of Lake Tahoe.
“That’s one of our big selling points here,” McGill said. “Besides we have a really great staff of knowledgeable and friendly people.”
While she enjoys working in the business, McGill said there are the rare times when working with certain members of the public can be a little trying.
“You learn a lot of patience and diplomacy in this job,” McGill said. “But I do love talking and spending time with the people who come to ride and enjoy the scenery.”
So, if you’d like to see what the lake looks like from the back of a horse, want to relive those days of yesteryear with a cooked over an open fire breakfast, lunch or dinner, give Zephyr Cove Stables a call at (775) 588-5664.
Photos from the Tahoe World file
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Last Updated ( Tuesday, 13 June 2006 )
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